USA - Audi launches a new lighter, faster and more efficient engine in the 2017 Q7 Sports utility Vehicle.

• 2017 Audi Q7 with 2.0T engine is faster, lighter and more efficient than the previous generation 2015 Q7 3.0T V6
• New 2.0T variant can sprint from 0-60 mph a half-second faster, offers a 22 percent improvement in EPA-estimated fuel economy and has a curb weight nearly 500 pounds lighter than its predecessor
• The 2017 Audi Q7 comes standard equipped with quattro® all-wheel drive and seating for up to seven passengers

Audi of America today announced the new 2.0-liter TFSI® four-cylinder engine will now be offered on 2017 Audi Q7 models. This new model, when equipped with the 2.0-liter engine, is faster, lighter and more efficient than the previous generation Q7 3.0T V6.

With 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, the Q7 with 2.0T engine reaches 60 mph a half-second faster than the previous generation 2015 Q7 3.0T V6 model. 

The Q7, with standard seating for up to seven passengers and quattro® all-wheel drive, is 22 percent more fuel efficient, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/highway combined. And while it is nearly 500 pounds lighter than the previous model, the Q7 2.0T has 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, with the optional towing package.  

The redesigned 2.0T engine stands out for its exceptional driving dynamics and efficiency. Enhancements to the exhaust manifold integration, improvements to the Audi valvelift system and the use of innovative thermal management, all help to reduce fuel consumption and improve overall engine efficiency.

The Q7 with 2.0T engine is a more accessible luxury SUV option, offering a robust level of standard and available equipment such as full-LED headlights, and benchmark connectivity and infotainment including a full-suite of advanced driver assistance systems.

 

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION	HORSEPOWER	TORQUE
2017 Q7	2.0 TFSI®	Eight-speed Tiptronic® with quattro® all-wheel drive	252 hp @ 5,000-6,000	273 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500

Carrying over from the 3.0-liter engine, the Q7’s eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission melds efficiency with dynamic shifting characteristics to help optimize fuel consumption. Improved handling and comfort enhancements have been made possible through the reduced unsprung weight of lightweight aluminum control arm components and revised elastokinematic attributes.

While the exterior dimensions have remained similar to the outgoing model, all 2017 Q7 models offer substantially more interior space – with more headroom, legroom and shoulder room in the second and third rows. The Q7 also offers the latest MMI and infotainment options including Bose 3D Sound System and the available Audi virtual cockpit which helps make viewing and navigating via the large Google Map images supported with 4G LTE (where available) easier on the driver’s eyes.

In addition to infotainment and connectivity features, the advanced Q7 driver assistance systems are designed to help drivers navigate the road and traffic with confidence. Standard Audi pre sense® city, an automatic emergency braking system, can detect stationary vehicles and pedestrians and if necessary, initiating full braking at speeds of up to 52 mph when a potential collision is detected. Available adaptive cruise control with stop & go automatically maintains distance from the vehicle in front, including braking and accelerating. Between 0-40 mph, traffic jam assist combines acceleration, braking and steering guidance, which can help take the stress out of driving in congested traffic.

Pricing Detail:

Model year 2017 Q7 with available 2.0-liter engine starting manufacturer suggested retail prices; on sale early 2017.

MODEL	PREMIUM	PREMIUM PLUS
2017 Q7 2.0T quattro®	$49,000	$53,000

Prices above exclude destination charge ($950), taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.

For more information, please visit www.audiusa.com.

Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted.

Driver assistance features are not substitutes for attentive driving. See Owner’s Manual for further details, and important limitations.

Where stated, fuel economy values (mpg) are EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors including your driving habits and vehicle condition.

USA - A new comparison chart has been released to show the difference between the 1967 Camaro and todays, to showcase its 50th Anniversary.

Chart Comparing 1967 Camaro SS 396 To 2017 Camaro 1SS Shows Performance Improvements, Cost Increase, Weight Gain and More

To celebrate the Camaro's 50th anniversary, H&H Classic Parts has created a detailed chart comparing a 1967 Camaro SS to a 2017 Camaro 1SS. The comparison graphic reveals the 2017 Camaro has increased in both weight and price. 

The newer model weighs 360 pounds more than its 1967 counterpart, and, when adjusted for inflation, the MSRP of the 2017 Camaro 1SS is nearly 50% more expensive than the 1967 Camaro SS 396 with the L78 engine package.

“In many ways, the '67 Camaro SS 396 is beyond comparison,” says Tray Smith, vice president of H&H Classic Parts. “The first Camaro's combination of style and performance are irresistible to classic Chevy enthusiasts like myself. The 2017 Camaro SS is definitely impressive, but it comes at a hefty price.”

Despite the additional weight, the 2017 Camaro proves itself in the performance comparison. It is considerably faster, more powerful, and handles much better than the '67 model. The 6.2-liter LT1 V8 produces 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque, and when paired with the 8-speed auto transmission, it can run the 1/4 mile in 12.3 seconds. That's substantially faster than the 1967 model, which had less power, fewer gears, and a much harder time getting traction.

"The '67 Camaro had a single leaf on the rear axle, making it very prone to wheel hop. Chevy also placed both shocks on the same side of the axle, making launches impossible. Our estimated 1/4 mile time is a best-case scenario number," says Smith. "The 2017 model, on the other hand, is relatively easy to launch. Not to mention, the suspension and tires are light years ahead of late 1960s technology," explains Smith.

The suspension comparison is just one item on the chart. Some of the most notable comparisons are:

• The very slight change in the wheelbase between the two cars, an interesting fact considering 50 years have passed
• The 2017 Camaro's enhanced braking performance, stopping more than 100 feet shorter than the '67
• The mild improvement in fuel economy

"The fuel economy comparison between 1967 and 2017 is fascinating. When tuned correctly and running right, it was possible to get mid teens gas mileage with a '67 back in the day," says Smith. "But today's car has fuel injection, computerized engine management, and 8 gears in the transmission. While the new car makes substantially more power than the '67 model - and the new car is heavier - the relatively small increase in gas mileage over the last 50 years was a surprise."

To see the full 1967 vs 2017 Camaro SS comparison, visit: http://hhclassic.com/n-12874-1967-camaro-vs-2017-camaro.html

UK debut of all-new convertible Audi R8 V10 Spyder - the fast got faster and the best got better.

Faster, tauter, technology-packed Audi convertible super sports car makes its domestic debut at the UK epicentre of Vorsprung durch Technik

• UK debut of all-new convertible R8 at Audi City London in Piccadilly
• Available for UK order from late spring, first UK deliveries in late 2016
• V10 engine developing 540PS, from 0 to 62mph in 3.6 seconds
• Audi Space Frame with 50 percent improvement in rigidity
• R8 debut for Audi smartphone interface and Bang & Olufsen audio with headrest-mounted speakers

A landmark Audi location in the heart of London is the fitting backdrop for the UK debut of a new generation of the convertible super sports car lauded as a milestone for Vorsprung durch Technik – the all-new Audi R8 Spyder has taken centre stage for selected media guests at Audi City in Piccadilly. 

Appealing to purists with its naturally aspirated V10 power, and to technophiles with sophisticated new features including the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit, the latest open-air R8 is not only more powerful and quicker against the clock, but also even more tightly pinned to challenging roads thanks in part to a 50 per cent improvement in torsional rigidity.

The key point of differentiation between Coupe and Spyder R8 models is of course the lightweight cloth hood, which tapers into two fins that stretch the cloth so that the roof harmonises perfectly with the dramatic lines of the high-performance sports car. Opening and closure is fully automated, and at speeds of up to 31mph the hood can be slickly concealed beneath the sculpted integral cover, or reattached to shield occupants from a sharp shower, in just 20 seconds. 

The rear window, sunk into the bulkhead, can also be retracted and extended at the touch of a button.

The strong backbone of the new R8 Spyder is the newly developed multi-material Audi Space Frame (ASF) which incorporates an intelligent mix of aluminium and carbon fibre that helps to keep dry weight down to just 1,612kg. Aluminium components make up a fraction under 80 per cent of the weight. 

They form a lattice that Audi’s engineers have used to incorporate specific reinforcements especially into the sills, A-pillars and windscreen frame. Combined with innovative manufacturing methods that lower the weight of individual components by up to ten per cent, these pare the weight of the body back to just 208 kilograms and boost torsional rigidity by over 50 per cent compared with the previous model.

Strong motorsport DNA: the V10 power unit

The even greater structural integrity provides an even more effective operating environment for a new iteration of the potent mid-mounted ten-cylinder engine.  

The latest V10 retains the purity of natural aspiration but adds advanced features such as dual injection and a freewheeling mode which enables it to ‘decouple’ whenever possible to optimise response and improve fuel economy by ten per cent. 

540PS of power and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm deliver phenomenal road performance, with the 0 to 62mph sprint taking just 3.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 197mph, but the latest R8 Spyder is also capable of returning up to 24.1mpg, corresponding to 277 grams CO₂ per kilometre.

Behind the V10 there is a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission delivering lightning-fast shifts, which channels power to a newly designed quattro drive system with an electro-hydraulically activated multi-plate clutch at the front axle. 

It can distribute drive fully variably according to the situation, and in extreme cases can transfer up to 100 percent to the front or rear wheels.

The intelligent control system is incorporated into the Audi drive select system, which offers four modes ranging from overtly dynamic to comfort-oriented. In conjunction with the optional R8 performance leather steering wheel, three more driving programs are available: dry, wet and snow. 

They make handling even more precise and stable, to match the specific conditions of the road being travelled.

The controls place the focus squarely on the driver, who can operate all important functions with the multifunction and satellite push-buttons without having to take hands off the steering wheel or look away from the road. The large 12.3-inch, fully digital Audi virtual cockpit presents all information using rich 3D graphics.

The internet-based services delivered by Audi connect come as standard in the R8 Spyder, as does the intuitively operated MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, the Audi Music Interface and belt microphones which make it even easier to use natural-language voice control and the phone. MMI search, which makes search suggestions after input of just the first few letters, offers a shortcut to the required information.

The Audi smartphone interface, which made its debut in the Q7 and A4 model lines, is also adopted by the second generation R8 Spyder. It enables selected content from compatible iOS and Android smartphones to be displayed by the Audi virtual cockpit. 

The Audi phone box can also be specified to connect mobile phones to the car aerial and charge them inductively. 

The Bang & Olufsen Sound System is another highlight: For the first time, it plays through two head restraint loudspeakers mounted in each seat, for an excellent audio experience even when driving with the hood down.

Largely hand-built

The build quality of the new R8 Spyder, which is largely hand-built at a special facility near Neckarsulm, Germany, is of the highest standard. Over and above the extensive standard equipment, customers have almost unlimited scope to tailor both the interior and exterior to their individual preferences. 

Body components such as the front spoiler, the diffuser and the new sideblades are also available in carbon. LED headlights with newly developed laser technology can be added as an alternative to the standard all-LED headlights to maximise visibility and range for the driver, bringing increased safety at night.

The all-new R8 Spyder is making an early curtain call in London before becoming available to order later this spring. The first examples of the open-air super sports car will reach UK customers in late 2016.

The 2017 Audi R8, shares 50% of it's components with the race car, but for teh road, and with 205mph Top speed

• More powerful and more dynamic than its predecessor, the R8 V10 plus generates 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque reaching a top track speed of 205 mph
• The all-new Audi R8 and R8 LMS racecar were co-developed and share approximately 50 percent of the same parts, including the V10 engine
• Track-tested around the world, the R8 LMS will make its US racing debut at the ROLEX 24 at Daytona on January 30, 2016

Faster, more efficient, and more capable both on and off the racetrack, the all-new 2017 R8 is the most powerful Audi production model ever. The R8, with its breathtaking performance, high-revving naturally aspirated motor, precise handling and driver-focused interior, embodies the automotive distinction that has become synonymous with the four rings.

2017 Audi R8

Featuring the same naturally-aspirated V10 engine found in the R8 LMS racecar, a completely new application of quattro® all-wheel drive, and a more functional yet technologically advanced cabin, the R8 is the pinnacle of performance for Audi, with no other model bearing a closer tie to racing. 

Featuring an updated seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission, which can shift gears in 120 ms, the V10 model, with 540 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque reaches 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and top track speed of 199 mph. 

The new top model, the R8 V10 plus with 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, catapults from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and can achieve a top track speed of 205 mph. 

Weighing approximately 77 pounds less than the R8 V10, the V10 plus features standard Audi carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber rear diffuser, front lip spoiler, exterior mirror housings and fixed rear wing spoiler, and for the first time ever in the US, racing shell seats.

Racing Heritage and DNA

Embodied in the R8 DNA is know-how acquired on the racetrack and from the legacy of Audi endurance racing. 

For the first time ever, Audi co-developed the all-new R8 with the all-new GT3 race car, the Audi R8 LMS. Both the new Audi R8 and the R8 LMS made significant performance gains, thanks to the close cooperation between race car engineers, motorsports specialists and developers. 

The result was just under 50 percent common parts shared between the two models including the V10 engine and a new ASF® aluminum construction with innovative light-weight multi-material construction. 

Design cues throughout the R8 also harken back to its racing roots, such as the prominent wheel arches and vertical lighting design, which are suggestive of the R18 LMP1 racecar.  

Powertrain and Performance

The Audi R8 has always embodied the essence of a true high-performance sports car. Each R8 model leverages a mid-engine drivetrain layout – directly inherited from the original R8 prototype that secured five victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

The new R8 offers two updated versions of the infamous high-revving, naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 FSI® engine and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, which integrates with the Audi drive select system. 

Available on the R8 for the first time, Audi drive select offers four modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual, and on R8 V10 plus models, an additional “performance mode” with dry, wet, and snow programming which allows for enhanced performance based on the selected road condition.

A new fuel injection system combines the benefits of indirect and direct injection and uses an intelligent engine management control unit to help optimize fuel injection and distribution based on engine load.

Seven speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission

The new transmission not only focuses on high levels of performance and acceleration but also emphasizes efficiency. 

On V10 models, the gear ratio configuration is referred to as 6+overdrive, with the top track speed being reached in the 6th gear. V10 plus models feature a gear set uniquely suited for high-performance oriented driving with no overdrive gears. 

In this set up, gears 3 through 7 feature shorter ratios that provide a closer shift pattern, allowing the V10 FSI® engine to remain at a higher RPM to allow for increased performance. In this configuration, the top track speed is reached in 7th gear.

As another benefit to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, both R8 models offer a launch control program that allows a heightened level of acceleration through precise engine speed and an automated clutch release.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION	HORSEPOWER	TORQUE
R8 V10	5.2-liter V10 FSI®	seven-speed S tronic® with quattro® AWD	540 hp @ 7,800 – 8,700 rpm	398 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm
R8 V10 plus	5.2-liter V10 FSI®	seven-speed S tronic® with quattro® AWD	610 hp @ 8,250 – 8,700 rpm	413 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm

Designed for performance

As in racing, the aerodynamics of the Audi R8 have been optimized to help balance drag and downforce. The underbody features drag reduction panels to ensure a smooth surface and NACA ports, which allow additional air to be channeled through the engine bay or to other critical drivetrain components. The drag coefficient is 0.34 with adaptive rear spoiler retracted or 0.35 with it extended, and 0.36 with the fixed rear wing spoiler.

Chassis and Suspension

The chassis for the high-performance sports cars also employs technologies from racing. The R8 uses a double-wishbone design for both the front and rear suspension systems. The suspension weight is kept low through the use of forged aluminum control arms, while local dynamic rigidity has been enhanced by connecting the control arms directly to the ASF® chassis.

The all-new R8 also features a completely unique application of the quattro® system. By default, the majority of torque is transmitted to the rear wheels, however, given certain driving conditions, the R8 has the ability to send up to 100 percent of all available torque to the front axle. 

This is made possible by new technologies such as the electronically controlled hydraulic multi-plate clutch on the front axle, torque vectoring, and quattro integration within the Audi drive select system.

Design and Body

The mid-engine concept provides the basis for the striking design of the new Audi R8. 

With the cockpit positioned forward and a long flowing roofline that extends to the rear of the vehicle, the new R8 has an unmistakable silhouette that instantly conveys its racing DNA. The strong shoulder line is now uninterrupted by the new two-piece design of the Audi sideblade and the hidden door handles. 

Dimensions are similar to the previous generation but further emphasize the flat, wide and muscular characteristics of the R8 – decreasing half an inch in height and length but increasing half an inch in width.

The new R8 utilizes Audi expertise in lightweight design through an all-new application of the iconic ASF® lightweight chassis, through the use of 13 percent carbon fiber materials. 

The new multi-material construction has not only helped lessen the vehicle’s static and dynamic weight, with the V10 plus weighing 88 pounds less compared to the previous generation and the V10 weighing 143 pounds less, but also allows for improved chassis performance with 40 percent greater rigidity.

Finally, new R8 models also feature an exhaust system with integrated twin-trapezoidal exhaust outlets and variable exhaust flaps that, once opened, provide an electrifying exhaust note. The V10 plus models come standard with black exhaust outlets mated to a sport exhaust system for increased aural excitement.

Design and body highlights include:

• Singleframe® grille with three dimensional honeycomb design and Anthracite Gray finish
• Full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
• Standard on V10 models are 19” 5-V-spoke design cast aluminum wheels in silver finish and standard on V10 plus are 19” 5-double-spoke design forged aluminum wheels  in matte titanium finish
• Adaptive rear spoiler (V10) or carbon fiber fixed rear wing spoiler (V10 plus)
• Two-piece sideblade design

Interior features

Like the first generation R8, the interior is defined by the monoposto, the large arc that pays homage to the shape of a racecar cockpit, with driver-oriented, easy-to-operate controls and functions. 

Behind the wheel is the Audi Virtual cockpit, which replaces the classic instrument panel and instead features a large, high-resolution 12.3-inch display, delivering vibrant color at 60 frames per second. Available for the first time on an R8 is Audi connect®, offering infotainment features such as 4G LTE connectivity, destination entry via myAudi, travel information, Internet radio and a Wi-Fi® hotspot for passenger use. 

Also, with available Audi connect, Google Earth™ satellite maps appear across the entire virtual cockpit allowing the driver to better navigate each turn in the road or the track ahead.

Additional interior features include:

• Standard 18-way power seats with Fine Nappa leather for V10 models; standard on V10 plus models is a racing shell seat offering more lateral support and contoured seat styling.
• Three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom sport steering wheel with shift paddles and two steering wheel-mounted satellite buttons (engine Start/Stop and Audi drive select). The R8 V10 plus steering wheel adds two additional satellite buttons for the Performance mode selector and Sport exhaust.
• Bang & Olufsen® Sound System featuring 13 speakers capable of producing 550 watts of pure, crisp sound (standard V10, optional V10 plus).

With uncompromised performance and unmistakable design, the R8 model line has represented the pinnacle of Audi performance since its introduction in 2008, and this all-new 2017 R8 is no exception.

Competing as part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series, the all-new R8 LMS will make its US racing debut at the ROLEX 24 at Daytona on January 30, 2016.

Pricing Detail

Model year 2017 R8 starting manufacturer suggested retail prices:

MODEL	Starting MSRP
R8 V10	$ 162,900
R8 V10 plus	$ 189,900

Prices above exclude destination charge ($1,250), taxes, title, options, and dealer charges.

Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted.